EFFector Vol. 21, No. 40 December 5, 2008 editor@eff.org
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424
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In our 492nd issue:
* EFF IS SEEKING GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR VIDEO REMIXING AND
CELL PHONE UNLOCKING, activities currently vulnerable to
legal action under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
(DMCA). Every three years, the Copyright Office considers
creating exemptions to the DMCA's ban on circumvention to
mitigate the harms the law has caused to legitimate,
non-infringing uses of copyrighted materials. EFF's filing
asks for DMCA exemptions for amateur creators who use
excerpts from DVDs in order to create new, noncommercial
works and for iPhone jailbreakers looking to install
applications not found in the "app store." EFF is also
asking for a renewal of an exemption for those who unlock
cell phones so that the handsets can be used with any
telecommunications carrier. These requests seek to legalize
free speech, fair use, and market competition currently
outlawed under the DMCA.
For more information about the filing:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/remixers-unlockers-jailbreakers-oh-my
For EFF's press release:
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2008/12/02
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EFF Updates
* EFF Fights Against Telecom Immunity in Hearing
Earlier this week, EFF argued against the flawed FISA
Amendments Act, which robs innocent telecom customers of
their rights without due process of law.
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2008/12/01
* EFF Urges Court to Reject Appeal in Tiffany v. eBay
If successful, the jewelry company's quest to expand
trademark law could quash Internet commerce.
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2008/12/03
* Apple Downgrades Macbook Video with DRM
Recently launched Macbooks use a new, DRM-laced Mini
DisplayPort, enabling the computer to disallow external
viewing devices.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/11/apple-downgrades-macbook-video-drm
* A "Grey Hat" Guide for Security Researchers
Jennifer Granick offers tips on how to conduct and publish
research on security vulnerabilities with the least risk of
running afoul of the law.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/11/grey-hat-guide-security-researchers
* Apple Confuses Free Speech with a DMCA Violation
Apple has no legal basis for the "cease and desist" letter
sent to bluwiki regarding the iPod Hash project.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/11/apple-confuses-speech-dmca-violation
* Censorship in the 21st Century: Targeting Intermediaries
Recent attempts to limit free speech target the middle man,
but the law often doesn't require him to become a censor.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/11/de-beers-internet-intermediaries
* Change.gov Content Now Under Creative Commons License
President-elect Obama gives the go-ahead for sharing and
remixing his transition team's content.
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/change-gov-content-now-under-creative-commons-lice
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miniLinks
~ Obama's Attorney General Pick: Good on Privacy?
Eric Holder has an unfortunate history of supporting
schemes that broaden law enforcement powers at the cost of
privacy and other civil liberties.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10110922-38.html
~ Principles for an Open Transition
Leaders of the open government movement published three
principles to guide President-elect Obama's transition team
in fostering greater speech and participation.
http://open-government.us/
~ Music Blogs Face Sudden Censorship Spike
Blogger has been deleting entire posts from music bloggers'
websites without warning or adequate explanation.
http://www.wiretapmag.org/arts/43899/
For more miniLinks:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/minilinks-2008-12-05
For global miniLinks:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/12/global-minilinks-2008-12-02
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Announcements
* Celebrate EFF's 18th Birthday Party in January 2009!
Come celebrate EFF's 18th year of defending digital rights
with our biggest bash yet! Special guest DJ Spooky will be
rocking the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, with help from
mashup party pioneers Adrian and the Mysterious D, as well
as copyfighter and Surya Dub DJ Kid Kameleon.
Party with us from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. We'll be asking for
a $25 donation at the door to fund our work defending your
digital freedom, but no one will be turned away for lack of
funds. Please RSVP to events@eff.org. 21+ only, cash bar.
Pre-pay for the party using our new Happy Birthday donation
page, and you'll have the option to get a discounted
membership! As always, membership includes great EFF
swag - perfect for wearing to an EFF party.
Please use this URL:
http://secure.eff.org/happybirthday
Thanks for your support of EFF! We look forward to seeing
you there!
* Apply for the Google Policy Fellowship and Work with EFF
Are you interested in technology law and policy? Do you
want to use your skills to make a difference? Then apply
for a Google Policy Fellowship to work at EFF in the summer
of 2009! Google has kindly offered to provide the Google
Policy Fellow with a $7000 stipend to work at EFF for a
minimum of 10 weeks in June - August 2009. Applications are
due on Friday, December 12th. Students who are accepted
will be notified by Friday, February 13th, 2009.
For more about EFF's policy work and projects:
http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/hosts.html
For the Google Policy Fellowship application:
http://www.google.com/policyfellowship/
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Administrivia
EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
http://www.eff.org/about
Editor: Sara Bassett, Membership Services Assistant
sara@eff.org
Membership & donation queries:
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